Page 26 of Death's Devotion
“Ready to head home?” I ask, letting my breath fan over her ear as a tremor goes through her body.
“I’m ready,” she responds, pushing herself up off my lap.
After making our rounds to say goodbye to everyone, we head to the SUV I parked in front earlier. Once we’re home and Brent is settled in his crib, I take my ol’ lady to our room and spend the rest of the night worshiping her body. Earlier in our room at the clubhouse was just a teaser to take the edge off. Now it’s time to drag out Kelsey’s pleasure and make her see how much I fucking want her. Neither one of us gets much sleep as she gives me as good as I give her.
Chapter Eighteen
I’M FUCKING MISERABLE. Every day I grow larger and everything becomes more and more difficult to do. I’m exhausted every day at work and can barely keep my eyes open by the time I’m done and ready to go home. Death has talked to me more than once over the last two weeks about pulling back and letting someone come in to help me. That’s not going to happen though. Rebellious Sweets and Catering belongs to Jaelyn and me. This is our baby and it’s up to me to keep it running for just a little while longer. She’ll be back any day now and then I can slow down or figure out what to do moving forward with her input. Until then, I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing and bringing in new business as much as possible.
Death had to leave almost a week ago. There’s something going on at his brother’s clubhouse and Sabotage can’t help him because he’s not ready to leave the babies and Jaelyn just yet. So, he said he’d go and make help them out for a little while. He’s not sure how long he’s going to be gone, but promised he’d call me every night to make sure I’m okay and nothing’s going on with the baby. So far, he’s kept his promise. A few times we even fell asleep together on the phone. It’s definitely not what I was expecting with Death and I’m pleasantly surprised.
Becoming his ol’ lady was a big step for both of us to take. We’re putting our trust in one another. As he said, this is for life and there’s not some quickie divorce or any other bullshit if we fight or hit a rough patch. I’d honestly say this is bigger for Death than it is for me. Yeah, it’s hard for me to trust guys after everything Vince did to me, but he wasn’t nearly as bad as that bitch and what she did to Death when he was younger. That shit is vile and sadistic if you ask me. I know I’d never do anything like that to a guy. I’d never try to trap someone to be with me because I’m a selfish slut who only wants the other men he surrounds himself with.
Shaking my head, I clear the thoughts so I can continue working. The candy hasn’t been turning out for me the last day or two and it’s frustrating me. I’ve yelled, screamed, and made Boxer and Talon run in the kitchen more times than I can count. They’re positive I’m going into labor or something and it’s just not the truth. Wasting the ingredients is not something we can afford for me to do. No when Jaelyn will be back sooner rather than later now.
Dumping another tray of messed up candy in the garbage, my phone rings from the diaper bag where I’ve left it as usual. My heart starts racing with the thought of something happening to Death. Everyone who has this number knows not to call me during the day when I’m at the shop unless it’s an emergency. Walking over, I grab it out of the diaper bag and see an unknown caller flashing on the screen.
“Hello?” I answer, not sure who’d be calling me right now.
“You stupid fucking bitch!” Vince yells through the phone as my entire body goes rigid before I start shaking hard. “How dare you involve my fucking father in this shit. What the fuck were you thinking? I’ll tell you what you were thinking, you fucking weren’t!”
“What are you talking about, Vince? I haven’t seen your father since the last time I was with you and he showed up. I don’t talk to him, visit with the man, or anything else because he’s a worse person than you are. Though, I could be wrong about that. Who really knows? Now, if you’re done yelling at me, I have things to do. You know a job to do,” I grit out, my anger overruling my fear for the first time when it comes to the man I’ve hated for so long.
“I don’t give a fuck what you have to do, bitch! The only thing you’re going to do right now is get ahold of the fucking lawyer and get me the money you fucking owe me. You know since I’ve now been cut off by my father and I’m stuck in this fucked-up town with no money. You’ve got an hour, Kelsey!” Vince threatens me, his voice hard and lethal.
“No, I don’t think I will. That money is mine and there’s no way I’m signing it over to you because you think you’re entitled to it. You’ve already stolen my parent’s insurance money and it didn’t belong to you. I’m done being a scared little bitch when it comes to you, Vince. You’ll never get your hands on me again andmyson isn’t going anywhere. See, that’s what happens when you have people who will defend you and make sure stupid fucks like you can’t get close,” I grit out through clenched teeth despite the fear coursing through me.
Vince starts laughing his ass off from his end of the line. He actually thinks he has a leg to stand on here. The club is bigger than him and Death already told me what was said and how he handled dealing with Vince’s dad.
“I don’t find anything funny, Vince. You might have paid off a stupid, weak kid, but these men aren’t him. They won’t take your bribes or anything else. See, that’s what happens when you have arealman in your life who does everything in his power to make sure you can breathe easy and are protected at all times by men who can’t be bought. So, unless you want your dad, the club, and others coming for you, I suggest you pack up and get the fuck out of here. There’s nothing here for you,” I tell him, not sure if I should be or not.
“I got my son here. You think a judge will let you keep him when I tell a lawyer you’re a drug addict who spreads her legs for drugs and money? No. You’re gonna get me that fucking money in one hour or I call a lawyer and take that bastard from you,” Vince promises before hanging up.
I’m done. While I might have been brave on the phone knowing Shank and Talon are here, my bravado is all gone now. Tears slide down my face and I can’t stop the sob from escaping as I try to calm my nerves. Talon is immediately at my side.
“What’s wrong?” he questions, frantically looking around the kitchen in search of someone in here with me.
“Vince just called me. He’s pissed his dad cut him off. Told me I got one hour to get him the money from my trust funds or he’s gonna call a lawyer and take Brent from me,” I sob out, my voice high pitch and barely coherent as I finish telling him what Vince threatened me with.
“That stupid fuck!” Talon yells out, trying to remain calm and not being successful as Brent remains sleeping and blissfully unaware in the playpen.
“I can’t lose him, Talon. He’s my baby boy and Vince will only destroy everything good about him. Or sell him off to the highest bidder. He wants to hurt me because he knows Brent means the world to me. That I’d give my life for him,” I continue crying as he wraps me in a hug.
“Brent isn’t goin’ anywhere, Kels. He’s my fuckin’ nephew and family to the club. You’re family to the club. Best fuckin’ thing to ever happen to my brother,” he says, believing his own words despite me not. “I’m gonna call Lash. Don’t tell Death right yet. Let us come up with a plan and then we’ll tell my brother what happened. He’s not here and will only worry and be an asshole until he knows what we’re gonna do to protect you both.”
Talon walks off to call Lash. I try to put the call out of my head to no avail. Vince’s words play on a constant loop as the fear and anxiety continues to course through me. It’s hard to breathe and my heart continues racing. My entire body is shaking and I know I’m not going to be able to make any candy right now. It was already fucking up and it will only be worse now.
I’ve talked to Death. He’s pissed as fuck and ready to come home so he can hold me and be at my side every second until Vince is no longer a threat. Talon currently has my phone in case Vince calls back demanding his money. I haven’t called the lawyer. I’m not going to. That’s all I have left to ensure my boys have a future. It hasn’t been touched by me yet and I’m not about to let him get his sadistic hands on it.
Sitting in the kitchen after a small rush of customers, I look up when the door swings wide open. Jaelyn stands there looking absolutely amazing. She rushes to my side with Sabotage and Zeus right behind her. They’re carrying the three car seats of the triplets between them.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her, happy for the first time since Vince’s call.
“I just left the doctor. I’ve been cleared to come back to work and I’m itching to get my hands busy. The kids will be here with us so I can work and still take care of them. More guys are stationed around the shop and will be inside with us as well. What have you been working on today?” she returns, a large smile on her face.
I go into the call with Vince. Zeus and Sabotage listen to every word before disappearing with the kids to talk to Talon.
“Now, it’s just us in here. What’s going on with Death and you?” Jae questions me, her voice almost giddy.
